Yes many people can play rudimentary 4/4 don't take long to learn but when you throw in a tonne of style and Ur own mark that's what matters, and Nicko regardless of his age does that in bucket loads for decades. Plays what's needed and fits for the song. Overplaying is a huge problem nowadays and the vibe of grooving is disappearing. Technicality in Ur instrument isnt the be all and end all. I've played with many technical musicians and they are most often useless in bands because they can't groove because it's all about them. Eff that no fun in that. Im 50 and been drumming and playing bass since high school. And in my opinion give me a groove master over a technical wizard any day. Nicko is a legend ✌🏼
@@kippsguitar6539 Great stamina alright ...imagine this at his age for a whole gig and then consider a full tour at his age. This dude really is a trooper.
@@kippsguitar6539 tell me you watch youtubes about drumming but have never sat behind a kit for a full set without telling.. oh never mind, you told. Time signatures are great, and all, and Nicko actually plays a metric crapton of non 4/4 since they have been playing Prog Metal since the late 80s, buttercup. 7/8, 7/4, 15/8, etc. There's also a huge difference in being able to PLAY something and being cable to compose it. After you compose one single 12 yr old simple 4/4 track that is half as big as Maiden's most basic stuff? Feel free to speak up.
That's how I play drums too. The overall structure of the song, I follow perfectly. The tempos of a song may vary slightly, but all of the musicians I play with can handle slight variations in tempo. The different beats follow the same idea every time, but may vary. Essential breaks (that cue in others) are done the same way, but every other break, where I choose to put accents that are drums only, stuff like crash endings, little mini-breaks... all of it is free game.
I remember seeing Maiden on Top of the Pops with the first single with Blaze (what was that, 94? 95?) and Nico had just a totally bog standard 5-piece kit and a couple of cymbals. Having worn out my Donington '92 VHS, it was SO weird to see!
Nicko owns a barbeque restaurant, Rock n Roll Ribs, down here in South Florida. Every year (mostly) they have an anniversary party open to the public. He plays with a bunch of friends - mix of Iron Maiden and other stuff, and tells stories. I've gone a few times when it was basically just a large tent in the parking lot. Each time, I was standing less than 10 feet to his side watching him play. I was surprised by how low he sits behind his kit.
Because Maiden don't use a click track, there was a point in the song (I think it was where the first chorus ends and goes back into the main riff) where the tempo seemed to slow down ever so slightly, but Nicko caught it perfectly.
I mean nicko was the first drummer i was superly amazed of, his drumming is very clean and it is very easy to hear every note he plays, just amazing 🙏🤘
Alex Van Halen and Nicko were my favorite drummers growing up. Here i am in my mid 50's and loving seeing Nicko still going strong and how much joy he still gets from his music. Still a beast!
He was not playing to the album version. Can clearly hear that in the first solo. its live. and that solo is doubled. Most off the times Janick Gers and Adrian Smith double that solo live. can also hear it in Bruce Dickinson his voice. and the backing vocals off Steve harris and Adrian Smith. I asume this is the backing track off the Somewhere back in time double CD/DVD due to the age off this video performance. Iron Maidne refuse to record or play live through a click track. they say playing through a click takes away the human element and feel off songs.
I commented back along about reacting to the Trooper. His single kick is phenomenal - its a pity the video didn't have a camera on his feet to fully appreciate this!
So looking forward to seeing them here in September! Nico STILL looks like he's having so much fun when he's playing even after all these years. Edit: One of the greatest things about being at a live concert is the difference from the studio track and how the audience response affects the performance.
YEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! Finally someone giving Steven Adler some love!!! Even after all he's been through, he still has that signature swing and that smile of his that could outshine the sun!!!
Nikko and Leo Haze (from Y&T) were two of my bigger influences. They showed me that hard rock/metal could still thrive with single kick drumming. Nikko used a double pedal on rare occasions, but for the most part his stuff is all one foot. Unlike most drummers, Nikko adds stuff over time, building the parts up instead of simplifying things over time as they age. This is so much more than he played in 80's. He's just out there having fun.
That is NOT the album version of The Trooper - it is a live version with the drums removed (Bruce's vocal (occassionally dipping out for the crowd call and response) and the 3 part guitar harmonies are the give away) SO - defo no click, just listening to the music and playing by ear. Priceless
Maiden and Nicko have such a dynamic tempo. Even on albums, but definitely at live shows. It's very deliberate and the whole band is in on it, although as i understand it, Nicko does have charge of the tempo!
I'd like to see a videocut from Terry Williams, the new drummer from Dire Straits on his first approve live in London at the "Alchemy tour". Please watch this, it's crazy. His father, who never trusted in his Musical career was there that evening. Epic!!!
Steve Adler and Nicko are both single kick drummers which im sure adds to the swing and feel. I read Duff McKagen’s autobiography and he said that they kept reducing Steven Adlers drum kit, including taking away the double kick, in an attempt to keep the feel in the rhythm section, and it seemed to work! And Nicko’s single kick is unmatched
It's crazy to ''still'' being able to see it, playing like that, especially after his stroke. I'm 46, i'm playing drums 😉 (for 5 years now), Iron Maiden was the first metal band I discovered with my friends (at 14 years old)... long leave Nicko 🤘
Nicko almost never uses a double kick or pedal setup; pretty much all the kick patterns he does are with one foot only. I seem to recall reading an interview with him years back where he said that he just never learned double kick when he was young as he (or his tutor) considered it "cheating," so subsequently worked his single kick skills up to the point where he can do everything he needs to without it and thus never needed to bother learning. This was way back in the 80s or 90s though, so I think he's probably mellowed somewhat regarding double kicks since then as there are a couple of newer Maiden songs where he uses it to get a specific sound, but it's very, very rare.
2008 Guitar Center Drum Off was the year Max Weinberg of The E Street Band on the studio albums had a drum off against Jay Weinberg who was also the drummer for the E Street Band while on tour because Max was also the band leader of The Max Weinberg 7 on The Conan O'Brien late night show and had to be in the studio 5 nights a week. Anywho, there's a video of it.
To get an idea of how it would have sounded had Clive Burr been around to do the drumming for the song, simply play the original at 1.5 speed on CZcams.
This sounds like a live recording he's playing to. I don't think they used any clicks in 1982 or whenever the studio version was recorded as most bands didn't do that back then.
More than three decades Iron fan here . All maidens musicians are great top-notch when it comes to put together techniques and musicality. Nicko leads the band when live.
According to Nicko, a double kick is "undrummerish".. and pretty much put his money where his mouth is for 55+ years. he has used a double pedal on exactly one track in his Maiden career ("Face in the Sand" from Dance of Death). As for playing to the live, Maiden always plays a faster tempo live than in studio, and so yeah Nickos been playing the Trooper "fast" live for 40 yrs now. It was recorded at 160 bpm, and live is usually around 172 bpm. 🤷♂
7:27 there is a Nicko interview where he did say.. We play the old sons too fast, Bruce can't evven keep up with the words, lie in Hallowed be They Name.. it went faster and faster... "Arry ( Harris) and I be..great one ey? And Bruce came shouting and cursing..you bloody %^W$%^@#$ it was too fast !! And the shows they do now, they went indeed back to the album track and went from there again..
Hello bud , He is playing along to a live track that is coming through his monitors with the original drums removed . At 1:55 ish he loses it a bit but pulls it back in a heartbeat, tough to play along to a track without click and the tempo is also not true...... I personally don't care ,its real and he is the dogs.... Up the Irons Good luck bud🤟🤟🤟
Wikipedia: The word metronome first appeared in English in Maelzel's 1815 patent application, and is Greek in origin, derived from metron-"measure" and nomos-"regulation, law".[5][6] The London patent refers to the machine as "a metronome or musical time-keeper" use a click track or practice you decide.
Hey Andrew . Did you notice ,somebody responsible for the playback of the rest of Maiden ,just fucked up his job ??? Even Nicko was laughing at some point ... the rhytm of the song was changing (slowing down and getting faster again) ... even then Nicko did manage with it .... Up the Irons from Poland 💪💪💪
Cool TIE fighter. I bought a 61cm (24 inches) Falcon replica a few months ago, my cats keep trying to eat the dish and rub their scent on it. Cats are odd.
In one of Maiden's Legacy of the Beast setlist video Nico talks about tempo shifts during live shows and highlights how important to have a metronome when they play eg. The Wicker man not to get insanely fast at the end of the song. czcams.com/video/fth00by-c9Y/video.html&ab_channel=IronMaiden
From a very early age I’ve always liked Nicko’s playing so much. His drumming breathes and has all the feel. The way he playes it the opposite of the modern drum tracks which sound just like a drum machine. Steven Adler really had kinda similar feel and flow.
...are we not gonna talk about the fact that Nicko is 72 and STILL doing this!?!?!?
Rudementary 4/4 many 12 year olds can also do but great stamina for his age
Yes many people can play rudimentary 4/4 don't take long to learn but when you throw in a tonne of style and Ur own mark that's what matters, and Nicko regardless of his age does that in bucket loads for decades. Plays what's needed and fits for the song. Overplaying is a huge problem nowadays and the vibe of grooving is disappearing. Technicality in Ur instrument isnt the be all and end all. I've played with many technical musicians and they are most often useless in bands because they can't groove because it's all about them. Eff that no fun in that. Im 50 and been drumming and playing bass since high school. And in my opinion give me a groove master over a technical wizard any day. Nicko is a legend ✌🏼
@@kippsguitar6539Yeah ok mate😀
@@kippsguitar6539 Great stamina alright ...imagine this at his age for a whole gig and then consider a full tour at his age. This dude really is a trooper.
@@kippsguitar6539 tell me you watch youtubes about drumming but have never sat behind a kit for a full set without telling.. oh never mind, you told. Time signatures are great, and all, and Nicko actually plays a metric crapton of non 4/4 since they have been playing Prog Metal since the late 80s, buttercup. 7/8, 7/4, 15/8, etc. There's also a huge difference in being able to PLAY something and being cable to compose it. After you compose one single 12 yr old simple 4/4 track that is half as big as Maiden's most basic stuff? Feel free to speak up.
Nicko has always been a single kick guy. That's one drum and one pedal, every time.
I don't think he has ever played this song the same way twice, and we all love him for it. Funny to see him playing on such a small kit, too.
That's how I play drums too. The overall structure of the song, I follow perfectly. The tempos of a song may vary slightly, but all of the musicians I play with can handle slight variations in tempo. The different beats follow the same idea every time, but may vary. Essential breaks (that cue in others) are done the same way, but every other break, where I choose to put accents that are drums only, stuff like crash endings, little mini-breaks... all of it is free game.
And had a stroke. Down full side, doctores said might be 12 months before might walk right, in 6 was touring…
I remember seeing Maiden on Top of the Pops with the first single with Blaze (what was that, 94? 95?) and Nico had just a totally bog standard 5-piece kit and a couple of cymbals. Having worn out my Donington '92 VHS, it was SO weird to see!
Been a fan of Nicko's ever since I first heard the intro to "Where Eagles Dare". Dude's a beast
Who else would like to see Nicko do a session with Drumeo?
That'd be magic
He had a stroke in 2023 and recovered and still playing:)
Go Nicko!!!
Yes, this is pretty amazing 💥
Nicko owns a barbeque restaurant, Rock n Roll Ribs, down here in South Florida. Every year (mostly) they have an anniversary party open to the public. He plays with a bunch of friends - mix of Iron Maiden and other stuff, and tells stories. I've gone a few times when it was basically just a large tent in the parking lot. Each time, I was standing less than 10 feet to his side watching him play. I was surprised by how low he sits behind his kit.
Really
Went there about 5 years ago & will be going back in September. Would be awesome if he happened to be there when we go. Up The Irons🤘
More videos like this please. Nicko doesn't get as much acclaim fir his drumming as he should.
The gallop on a single peddle is so solid and that snare sound holy moly!
Right!?
I have been in awe of this guy since my very first concert in the 80's which of course was Maiden and Anthrax, hell yeah!
Because Maiden don't use a click track, there was a point in the song (I think it was where the first chorus ends and goes back into the main riff) where the tempo seemed to slow down ever so slightly, but Nicko caught it perfectly.
And that's okay! I like that real experience
HE IS A MACHINE
I mean nicko was the first drummer i was superly amazed of, his drumming is very clean and it is very easy to hear every note he plays, just amazing 🙏🤘
Love Nicko, so underrated.
Alex Van Halen and Nicko were my favorite drummers growing up. Here i am in my mid 50's and loving seeing Nicko still going strong and how much joy he still gets from his music. Still a beast!
With his knees up to his ears it sometimes looks as though he's playing on a child's drum kit lol. So solid. And at his age!
Where eagles dare probably nickos finest drumming, imho of course 👌👌👍
That just got better and better as the track ran through, loved the hi hat part towards the end. 👍👏
He was not playing to the album version. Can clearly hear that in the first solo. its live. and that solo is doubled. Most off the times Janick Gers and Adrian Smith double that solo live. can also hear it in Bruce Dickinson his voice. and the backing vocals off Steve harris and Adrian Smith. I asume this is the backing track off the Somewhere back in time double CD/DVD due to the age off this video performance. Iron Maidne refuse to record or play live through a click track. they say playing through a click takes away the human element and feel off songs.
Those drums sound fantastic.
I commented back along about reacting to the Trooper. His single kick is phenomenal - its a pity the video didn't have a camera on his feet to fully appreciate this!
So looking forward to seeing them here in September!
Nico STILL looks like he's having so much fun when he's playing even after all these years.
Edit: One of the greatest things about being at a live concert is the difference from the studio track and how the audience response affects the performance.
YEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! Finally someone giving Steven Adler some love!!! Even after all he's been through, he still has that signature swing and that smile of his that could outshine the sun!!!
If ya know ya know!!!
Love The Trooper, Nicko is briiliant, as are the 3 Amigos
and he was playing on small drum kit !
Is that legal!!
Poor kid
1988 that was one of 5 songs I had to learn in 3 days for a sit-in gig. The pain was real :)
That shows how rudementary it is but does the job the bad needs, sometimes simple is good but nothing remarkable
It's not just fan. They are my favorite band and I am 62. He is a beast...72 and still playing shows. He has not lost a beat.
Love it!
The Rhytm of The Beast I have his VHS on the 90s!! ❤ Nicko is the best...and with punky past! He play the drums with Trust before Maiden!!
Apart from his playing I also love how his toms sound, great stuff.
His drums sounds amazing live
Soooo good
Nikko and Leo Haze (from Y&T) were two of my bigger influences. They showed me that hard rock/metal could still thrive with single kick drumming. Nikko used a double pedal on rare occasions, but for the most part his stuff is all one foot.
Unlike most drummers, Nikko adds stuff over time, building the parts up instead of simplifying things over time as they age. This is so much more than he played in 80's.
He's just out there having fun.
The only Maiden song he uses the double kick on is Face in the Sand from Dance of Death
That is NOT the album version of The Trooper - it is a live version with the drums removed (Bruce's vocal (occassionally dipping out for the crowd call and response) and the 3 part guitar harmonies are the give away) SO - defo no click, just listening to the music and playing by ear. Priceless
He does a video where he walks you through his kit layout, very interesting and worth a look. 👍🏻
I will check it out
Adam’s drumfest 2012 is most likely the best footage of Nicko, either his jazzy solo at the end or the trooper
Sounds good!
Maiden and Nicko have such a dynamic tempo. Even on albums, but definitely at live shows. It's very deliberate and the whole band is in on it, although as i understand it, Nicko does have charge of the tempo!
One fun fact about Nickos drumming.
He plays the stick in his left hand backwords. The punch the drum/high heads with the fat stick end.
That is UP tempo from the studio recording. side note: The opening to Where Eagles Dare is Beast mode.
Yes he loses time
Brilliant and very original drummer. Absolutely tight and smack on each time. Very difficult to do that. He makes it look so easy...
interesting comments thanks. love this. all it lacks is bruce coming up and hitting the gong.
Right!!!
Amazing Drummer Great Video 🏴🏴
I'd like to see a videocut from Terry Williams, the new drummer from Dire Straits on his first approve live in London at the "Alchemy tour". Please watch this, it's crazy. His father, who never trusted in his Musical career was there that evening. Epic!!!
Steven Adler is so underrated. Great feel and swing drummer.
100%
I wasn't sure if Andrew was staring at the drumming or the hair the most! jokes jokes... Nicko is unreal for his age!!
He adapted to that small kit nicely. Had to play it quite differently. I loved the hi hat sizzles, very cool!
Maiden have never recorded to a click they say it takes from the feel. As a songwriter and guitarist I agree with them hate clicks
Great drummer
Absolutely!
My favorite right foot in the game!!!
Nicko has, always, played single kick. You should hear his go on Somewhere in Time. You'd swear it was a double-headed pedal.
I love nickobmy favorite drummer ever
Steve Adler and Nicko are both single kick drummers which im sure adds to the swing and feel. I read Duff McKagen’s autobiography and he said that they kept reducing Steven Adlers drum kit, including taking away the double kick, in an attempt to keep the feel in the rhythm section, and it seemed to work! And Nicko’s single kick is unmatched
Very very smart.
Quincy Jones used to do the same.
Remove distractions. Focus on the groove
Going to see them in Ft. Worth TX this fall.
Can’t wait.
It's crazy to ''still'' being able to see it, playing like that, especially after his stroke. I'm 46, i'm playing drums 😉 (for 5 years now), Iron Maiden was the first metal band I discovered with my friends (at 14 years old)... long leave Nicko 🤘
He's a great inspiration
NICO IS A BADASS 🤘🏻🤘🏻🔥🔥
Down to earth and just so cool
(73 almost and still kicking ass)
Nicko almost never uses a double kick or pedal setup; pretty much all the kick patterns he does are with one foot only. I seem to recall reading an interview with him years back where he said that he just never learned double kick when he was young as he (or his tutor) considered it "cheating," so subsequently worked his single kick skills up to the point where he can do everything he needs to without it and thus never needed to bother learning.
This was way back in the 80s or 90s though, so I think he's probably mellowed somewhat regarding double kicks since then as there are a couple of newer Maiden songs where he uses it to get a specific sound, but it's very, very rare.
Very accured. Only song i think Face in the Sand
Can't go wrong with Maiden and the hardest galloping drummer, Nicko.
Have ya checked him out playing w Pat Travers early in his career?🤘🏻
Look up Nicko Mcbrain Voodoo child. Playing with his mates at a music fest. Nice drum solo.
Saw them in San Francisco "Peace of Mind" tour 😮 Awesome show.
2008 Guitar Center Drum Off was the year Max Weinberg of The E Street Band on the studio albums had a drum off against Jay Weinberg who was also the drummer for the E Street Band while on tour because Max was also the band leader of The Max Weinberg 7 on The Conan O'Brien late night show and had to be in the studio 5 nights a week. Anywho, there's a video of it.
Nico is one the best hard rock metal drummer! Laways on ppoint with many little things in his play . wonderful!!!
Hes only played double kick on one song "face in the sand" on dance if death. Everything else, doubles and triples with single pedal
Great stuff
SCENE:, Andrew counting in his band: "Ready, guys? OK - 1, 2, 6, 11..."
hahaha
He was playing along with a live version
the small kit, and those fast bass triplets...
And, that's not his usual kit. Yes, single kick bass too! Nicko is the GOAT
To get an idea of how it would have sounded had Clive Burr been around to do the drumming for the song, simply play the original at 1.5 speed on CZcams.
This sounds like a live recording he's playing to. I don't think they used any clicks in 1982 or whenever the studio version was recorded as most bands didn't do that back then.
More than three decades Iron fan here . All maidens musicians are great top-notch when it comes to put together techniques and musicality. Nicko leads the band when live.
Love to see Nicko do some drumming with Tamu of Nemophila and do Drumeo both would be a blast.
Underrated drummer, but a real one🤟
He has a full drum set I. His restaurant and will play to customers
I agree on the click thing live is live and music needs to breathe and be human
It's old school. And I love it.
Just in my blood to have music move
According to Nicko, a double kick is "undrummerish".. and pretty much put his money where his mouth is for 55+ years. he has used a double pedal on exactly one track in his Maiden career ("Face in the Sand" from Dance of Death).
As for playing to the live, Maiden always plays a faster tempo live than in studio, and so yeah Nickos been playing the Trooper "fast" live for 40 yrs now. It was recorded at 160 bpm, and live is usually around 172 bpm.
🤷♂
Andrew is a great diplomat, hes good for his age no doubt
hehe
If you want to go even older, before Iron Maiden, Nicko played with Pat Travers and I've seen that video; he was ALWAYS good, somehow.
How badass is this guy??😬 😁
Imagine nicko ...inagine slteve Harris together i would say this band is AMAZING
7:27 there is a Nicko interview where he did say.. We play the old sons too fast, Bruce can't evven keep up with the words, lie in Hallowed be They Name.. it went faster and faster... "Arry ( Harris) and I be..great one ey? And Bruce came shouting and cursing..you bloody %^W$%^@#$ it was too fast !! And the shows they do now, they went indeed back to the album track and went from there again..
Single Bass GOAT.
Ive been to their concert in the eighties i think. I watch this video and it seems he playing on his feeling. I dont know how to say it exactly.
Nicko is amazing. I cheat and use a double pedal to play most of his stuff
To get it powerful yeah.
Nicko is a beast
Hello bud ,
He is playing along to a live track that is coming through his monitors with the original drums removed . At 1:55 ish he loses it a bit but pulls it back in a heartbeat, tough to play along to a track without click and the tempo is also not true......
I personally don't care ,its real and he is the dogs.... Up the Irons
Good luck bud🤟🤟🤟
don't forget, in this clip he's playing a 5 Pc
Wikipedia:
The word metronome first appeared in English in Maelzel's 1815 patent application, and is Greek in origin, derived from metron-"measure" and nomos-"regulation, law".[5][6] The London patent refers to the machine as "a metronome or musical time-keeper" use a click track or practice you decide.
I'm a failed guitarist, and a failed bassist. I want to learn drums so I can suck at that to.
Do it!
Hey Andrew . Did you notice ,somebody responsible for the playback of the rest of Maiden ,just fucked up his job ??? Even Nicko was laughing at some point ... the rhytm of the song was changing (slowing down and getting faster again) ... even then Nicko did manage with it .... Up the Irons from Poland 💪💪💪
Liked it can't believe I said that 😮
Haha yeah that got your attention didn't it 🤣
Plz react to Eloy Casagrande reacting and breaking down his drum solo at 14yo on Drumeo! He also plays an udpated version of it at the end...
Cool TIE fighter. I bought a 61cm (24 inches) Falcon replica a few months ago, my cats keep trying to eat the dish and rub their scent on it. Cats are odd.
MATH
The track was NOT the album track. Bruce's vocal was live and the guitarwork was slightly different.
In one of Maiden's Legacy of the Beast setlist video Nico talks about tempo shifts during live shows and highlights how important to have a metronome when they play eg. The Wicker man not to get insanely fast at the end of the song.
czcams.com/video/fth00by-c9Y/video.html&ab_channel=IronMaiden
🥁Please react to these drummer 🥁
Tatsuya Amano🥁Shuhei Kamada🥁
Junna🥁Anthony Barone🥁
Senri Kawaguchi🥁Kanade Sato🥁
（Playthrough or live)
Please check out the band IMMINENCE with official MV song “ Continuum.”
Lead singer plays violin as same time he sings and plays the violin….
That was not the album track. It was faster than the album version. Also Bruce sounded different. That was definitely a live version
MUSIC IS NOT PERFECT U CAHSE PERFECT BUT IT NEVER HAPPENS
Please react to Eloys recent drum cams!!!
Nicko is a genius. 🤘
Please do the new Eloy instagram cams
Genius? Couldn't be any more rudementary and he lost time, it's decent that's it
From a very early age I’ve always liked Nicko’s playing so much. His drumming breathes and has all the feel. The way he playes it the opposite of the modern drum tracks which sound just like a drum machine. Steven Adler really had kinda similar feel and flow.
He's always been using a single bass drum pedal..
I believe there's only one song he ever recorded using a double pedal